Interlocked lightweight building structure



Get. 3, 1967 NYE 33445 I INTERLOCKED LIGHTWEIGHT BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 2'7, 1965 6 A i z FIG.I r a FIG.9

INVENTOR. NORMAN H. NYE

s/ J %l 2 OQ W75;

ATTYS.

United States Patent 3,344,565 INTERLOCKED LIGHTWEIGHT BUILDING STRUCTURE Norman H. Nye, 1348 Highbridge Road Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223 Filed Jan. 27, 1965, Ser. 428,438 5 Claims. (CI. 52-81) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A building construction wherein a plurality of elongate frame sections are interlocked with and extend between a plurality of corner supports to form the frame of the structure. A plurality of cover panels having recessed grooves in the edges thereof slidably engage the frame sections so that the panels are arranged in edge to edge relation with the corners and edges of adjacent panels to define an enclosure.

This invention relates to an interlocking building structure, and is particularly applicable to a strong, lightweight, and easily constructed enclosure assembly.

Heretofore it has been known that there are many and various types of enclosure assemblies, which may be made from a plurality of frames with lightweight coverings thereover. One such building structure is disclosed in my Patent No. 3,137,371, which defines essentially a polyhedron which may be quickly assembled from prefabricated frame members. Many other prior patents have issued in this field but none have provided, in my opinion, an easily assembled, readily sealed structure that has both smooth outer and inner walls.

Therefore, it is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other objections to prior art building structures, by the provision of a strong, lightweight polyhedron enclosure which may be quickly assembled from prefabricated frame members and panels to provide a sealed structure requiring no internal columns or bracing, which structure has smooth inner and outer surfaces.

Another object is to provide such a structure wherein all the members comprising the structure fit in interlocking relationship so that a minimium of securing means such as screws, bolts, rivets or welding is necessary to complete the fabrication.

Further objects are to provide a structure which may be generally of semi-spherical or semi-cylindrical shape and in which a metal frame is self-supporting and triangular panels are secured to the frame members by having dado recessed edge grooves therearound receiving the frame members in interlocking, sealed relationship.

The aforesaid objects of the invention and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by providing in a building structure the combination of a plurality of elongate substantially flat frames arranged in end to end relationship to define a polyhedron shape broken into a plurality of substantially similar geometric shapes, a plurality of substantially flat corner supports engaging adjacent ends of the frames in removable interlocking relation to hold them in a fixed relationship, and a plurality of cover panels having shapes to correspond to the geometric shapes defined by the frames which panels have dado recessed grooves in the edges thereof completely around the periphery whereby each panel engages respective frames and corner supports in the groove to provide an interlocking relationship.

For a better understanding of the invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of a building structure constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged broken away plan view of a corner support showing the interlocking relationship of a plurality of frames therewith, as well as a cover panel;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged plan view of a cover panel;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged broken away plan view of a frame section;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged broken away elevation of the frame section of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged broken away cross sectional view, taken on line 66 of FIGURE 2, of a cover panel engaging a frame section in the recessed groove along its edge;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged broken away cross sectional view, taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 2, of the interlocking relationship between a frame section and a corner support;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view, taken on line 88 of FIGURE 1, of a panel engaging a base corner frame or a base frame; and

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view of an arm of the corner support taken on line 9-9 in FIG- URE 2.

With reference to the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a foundation, preferably of slab form, on which rests a substantially half-spherical enclosure 2. The frame of the enclosure generally comprises four layers, rows, sections or belts 3, 4, 5 and 6 arranged to extend horizontally one on top of the other, and, except for a door 10 or other casings, are connected to each other in the respective belts. A dome ring 7 of any desired construction provides a top to the enclosure 2. Each belt 3 through 6 is formed from a plurality of cover panels, indicated generally by numeral 8 and supported by an interlocked and interconnected framework, indicated generally by numeral 9. The relationship of the framework 9 and the panels 8 to provide an interlocking structure will be more fully described hereinafter. For convenience, the belts composed of panels 8 and the framework 9 may be designated the foundation belt 3, the second belt 4, the third belt 5 and the fourth belt 6, all as indicated in FIG- URE 1.

While it should be understood that the basic interrelated and interlocking structural concept described hereinafter might be applicable to any form of enclosure, it is specifically designed for use with a lightweight polyhedron enclosure essentially defining a half or truncated spherical shape wherein no internal columns or bracing are necessary, and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described. 7

The belts of horizontal frame members have the centers of their respective frames 9 spaced equally thereabout substantially at the surface of a sphere, assuming that no door opening is provided, and the frame members 9 of each belt are generally staggered with respect to those of adjacent belts. Of course, an entrance door indicated generally by numeral 10, may be provided in the enclosure 2 and may be connected thereto in any known manner.

In essence, the framework 9 comprises a plurality of elongated substantially V-shaped structural frames 11, or frame sections which are positioned in interlocking relationship with corner supports, a typical one of which is indicated generally by the numeral 12. The frames 11 preferably comprise metal bars or strips. Of course, for the connection of the frames 11 to the base, base corner supports 13, which are essentially a symmetrical half of the corner support 12, are provided. Normally, the invention contemplates that the geometric shape defined by the frames 11 as fixed by the corner supports 12 and base supports 13 will define substantially equilateral triangles in belt 3 and isosceles triangles in belts 4, 5 and 6. Thus, the geometric shapes of the cover panels 8 will conform to the particular triangular or geometric shape defined in each particular belt.

The interlocking relationship of the frames 11 relative to the corner support 12 is best illustrated with reference to FIGURE 2. Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the corner support 12 has six extending arms, each indicated by the numeral 14, each arm of which has a transversely extending slot 15 about midway of the length, and extending halfway across the width thereof. The end of each frame section, or frame 11 contains a similar slot 16 and the arms 14 are slightly off-set at the slots 15 along a length 17, as more clearly illustrated in FIGURE 7. The frames 11 are also off-set along a length 18 at their slots 16, as more clearly illustrated with reference to FIGURES 5 and 7, so that an interlocking relationship between the frames 11 and a respective arm 14 of the corner support 12 is provided, again as more clearly illustrated in FIGURE 7. The corner support 12 is provided with a hexagonal shaped center or base plate 18a from which the arms 14 extend. It should be understood that for the framework 9 to conform to the half spherical shape, so that in essence each frame 11 acts as a chord of a spherical surface, the respective arms 14 extending from the base 18a of the corner support 12 must be bent slightly, instead of all lying in the same plane, as will be well understood by one skilled in the art. Similarly, the arms 14 and frames 11 will be substantially V-shaped in cross section to conform to the planar surfaces of the panels 8, as shown by the cross sectional view of the arm 14 in FIGURE 9. The obtuse angle of the V-shape may vary between about 178 to about 165 depending on the specific constructional shapes desired. Of course, in some instances the frames 11 may be fiat to conform to a fiat wall construction.

As a feature of the invention, FIGURE .3 illustrates a cover panel 8 showing that such panel has a recessed dado type groove 20 extending inwardly from the edges thereof and completely around its periphery. The invention contemplates that the panel 8 will normally be made of wood, or some insulating weatherproof type substance, and will generally be substantially flat. The groove 20 is of a sufiicient width, or depth, along at least certain portions thereof to slidably receive the edges of the substantially V-shaped frames 11 therein, and usually about one-half the width of the frames 11, as more clearly illustrated in FIGURE 6. Also, the groove 20 will have sufficient depth to extend to about the middle of the width of the frames 11 or to the notch of the V-shape, as at 14a in FIGURE 9. Thus, it should be understood that when a panel 8 is positioned on each side of a frame 11 with the groove 20 sliding over the frame 11, it will substantially completely surround the frame, so that the surface of the panels 8 will be continuous with respect to adjacent panels both on the inside and the outside of the structure. Of course, the invention contemplates that the groove 20 will preferably lie in the plane of the panel 8, however, in certain instances it might be preferable to cut the groove 20 at an angle to the plane of the panel 8 so the frames 11 and corner support 12 will not have to be V-shaped. A suitable sealant, or adhesive means 21 may be provided in the groove 20 of the panel 8 to insure against weather leakage and to provide a fixed interlock between the frame 11 and the panel 8.

The invention contemplates that the panels 8 may have widened portions in the grooves 20 to receive the double thickness formed during the interlocking of the frame 11 with the arm 14 of the corner support 12, as indicated in FIGURE 7. Also, it should be understood that normal construction of the panels 8 with respect to the frames 11 and corner supports 12 will allow them to be slidably positioned so that when six panels have been positioned around the respective arms of the corner support 12, the point defining the peak of the triangularly shaped panels will all be joined together at a common point 22 with respect to the base 18a of the corner support 12, as seen in FIGURE 2. Naturally, the panels 8 may be beveled along the edges on one side to insure a close fitting relationship with the edges of adjacent panels to conform with the various planar relationship extending from their individual corner support 12.

FIGURE 8 illustrates the relationship of a panel 8 relative to a base frame 11. Essentially, exactly the same interrelated grooved fit is provided with a sealant and adhesive 22 around the frame 11 and in the groove 20. A supporting leg 23 may be provided as an integral part of the frame 11. Naturally, the same structural relation ship, with a supporting leg may be provided in the base support 13.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the interlocking combination of the frames 11 and 11a with the corner supports 12 and base supports 13, allowing the sliding grooved fit of fiat cover panels 8 thereover, gives a geodesic dome structure having a completely smooth inner and outer surface with no internal columns or bracing necessary to provide additional support. In essence, the frames 11 and 11a are attached in end to end relationship with such attachment being provided by the corner supports 12 in an interlocking manner. Although such interlocking of the frame and corner support means may be made rigid and adequate so that nothing more is needed, welding of the interlocking fit, such as illustrated by spot welds 25 in FIGURE 2, may be provided. That is, the exposed approximately one-half of a frame 11 can be welded to the adjacent section of an arm of a corner support after they have been interlocked and have a panel 8 engaged therewith. Similarly, the direction in which the slots 15 in the arms 14 face is varied in the different arms 14 to facilitate construction of the structure. For example, it is anticipated that the structure will be built from the base up by securing a horizontally extending base frame 11a to extend between a pair of the base supports 13, an upwardly pointed panel 8 is attached to such base means, and then a corner support and two frames 11 would be secured to such base means. Then another base frame 11a would be secured to one arm of one of the base supports 13 and another base support would be secured to the free end of such another base support, etc. Hence, after positioning a full row of upwardly directed triangular panels, then downwardly directed triangular panels 8 can be slid into interlocking relationship therewith to form the base belt 3. Similarly, the belts 4, 5 and 6 could be progressively so formed.

Naturally, the sliding interrelating and interlocking fit of the elements in my new construction, namely, the frames 11 and 11a, the corner supports 12 and base supports 13, and the cover panels 8 facilitates construction of various sizes, shapes and dimensions. However, they particularly lend themselves to use with the triangular panels 8. Such construction can be made quickly and easily to provide an all weather type permanent structure which is strong, lightweight and simple. Other than possible welding of the frames 11 or 11a to the corner supports 12 or base supports 13, further securing means such as screws, rivets or bolts is not necessary. Actually, the caulking or adhesive material 21 as shown in FIG- URE 6, and 22 as shown in FIGURE 8, is not necessary if the sliding fit of the groove 20 over the frames 11 is made sufficiently tight.

While in accordance with the patent statutes only one best known embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby, but that the inventive scope is defined in the appended claims.

of each frame is provided to hold the frames in fixed relationship to define the polyhedron shape comprised of a plurality of substantially similar What is claimed is: 1. In a building structure defining a polyhedron shape the combination of a plurality of elongate substantially flattened V-shaped in section frames, the ends of each frame being offset from a center plane of the frame and having transversely directed slots extending halfway across the width of the frame about at the joinder of the offset ends with the remainder of the frame,

plurality of corner supports, each having a polygeometric shapes, and

5 a plurality of cover panels having shapes corresponding to the geometric shapes defined by the frames, said panels having dado recessed grooves in the edges thereof completely around the periphery thereof with each panel having its groove slidably receiving 10 about one half of the width of a respective frame so hedron shaped center portion and a plurality of that the edge thereof is adjacent the edge of another flattened V-shaped arms extending radially therepanel around its full periphery to define an enfrom, the end of each arm being offset from a center closure. plane of the arm and having a transversely directed 4. In a building structure of a polyhedron shape, the slot extending substantially halfway across the width combination of of the arm about at the joinder of the offset end a plurality of triangularly shaped panels having re- With the remainder of the arm with the arms and cessed grooves formed in the edges thereof and exframes being slotted for interlocking engagement betending around the periphery of the panels parallel tween the offset ends of each arm and the offset ends to the planes of the panels, and of each frame to hold the frames in fixed relationship frame means for said panels comprised of to define the polyhedron shape comprised of a plua plurality of corner supports each having a plurality of substantially similar geometric shapes, and rality of outwardly extending arms, the ends a plurality of cover panels having shapes corresponding of each arm being offset from a center plane of to the geometric shapes defined by the frames, said the arm and having a transversely directed slot panels having dado recessed grooves in the edges extending halfway across the width of the arm thereof completely around the periphery thereof with whereby an interlocking relationship between each panel having its groove slidably receiving about the offset ends of the arms and frame sections one half of the width of a respective frame so that is provided with the frame sections extending the edge thereof is adjacent the edge of another between arms of different supports with the panel around its full periphery to define an engroove of each panel slidably receiving one half closure. the Width of a respective frame section whereby 2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the the panels are arranged in edge to edge relation recessed grooves in the edges of each cover panel lie in With th corn rs of adjacent panels meeting at the same plane as the panel. common points to define an enclosure.

3. In a building structure defining a polyhedron shape A building Structure according to Claim 4 Which th o bi tio f includes a sealing means between the panels and the a plurality of elongate substantially flat frames, the frame means to provide an insulated structure with smooth ends of each frame being offset from a center plane inner and Out r Surfaces. of the frame and having transversely directed slots extending halfway across the width of the frame References Cited about at the joinder of the offset ends with the re- UNITED STATES PATENTS mainder of the frame,

a plurality of corner supports, each having a polygfilsavage 52-81 lller 52-81 hedron shaped center portion and a plurality of sub- 3 119 153 1/1964 M ltm 52586 X stantially flat arms extending radially therefrom, the 3,137,371 6/1964 Nye 52 81 end of each arm being offset from a center plane u of the arm and having a transversely directed slot FOREIGN PATENTS extending substantially halfway across the width of 68,338 11/1957 Fran the arm about at the joinder of the offset end with the arm whereby an interlocking relationship between the offset ends of each arm and the offset ends FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

C. G. MUELLER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A BUILDING STRUCTURE DEFINING A POLYHEDRON SHAPE THE COMBINATION OF A PLURALITY OF ELONGATE SUBSTANTIALLY FLATTENED V-SHAPED IN SECTION FRAMES, THE ENDS OF EACH FRAME BEING OFFSET FROM A CENTER PLANE OF THE FRAME AND HAVING TRANSVERSELY DIRECTED SLOT EXTENDING HALFWAY ACROSS THE WIDTH OF THE FRAME ABOUT AT ATHE JOINDER OF THE OFFSET ENDS WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE FRAME, A PLURALITY OF CORNER SUPPORTS, EACH HAVING A POLYHEDRON SHAPED CENTER PORTION AND A PLURALITY OF FLATTENED V-SHAPED ARMS EXTENDING RADIALLY THEREFROM, THE END OF EACH ARM BEING OFFSET FROM A CENTER PLANE OF THE ARM AND HAVING A TRANSVERSELY DIRECTED SLOT EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY HALFWAY ACROSS THE WIDTH OF THE ARM ABOUT AT THE JOINDER OF THE OFFSET END WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE ARM WITH THE ARMS AND FRAMES BEING SLOTTED FOR INTERLOCKING ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE OFFSET ENDS OF EACH ARM AND THE OFFSET ENDS OF EACH FRAME TO HOLD THE FRAMES IN FIXED RELATIONSHIP OF DEFINE THE POLYHEDRON SHAPE COMPRISED OF A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR GEOMETRIC SHAPES, AND A PLURALITY OF COVER PANELS HAVING SHAPES CORRESPONDING TO THE GEOMETRIC SHAPES DEFINED BY THE FRAMES, SAID PANELS HAVING DADO RECESSED GROOVES IN THE EDGES THEREOF COMPLETELY AROUND THE PERIPHERY THEREOF WITH EACH PANEL HAVING ITS GROOVE SLIDABLY RECEIVING ABOUT ONE HALF OF THE WIDTH OF A RESPECTIVE FRAME SO THAT THE EDGE THEREOF IS ADJACENT THE EDGE OF ANOTHER PANEL AROUND ITS FULL PERIPHERY TO DEFINE AN ENCLOSURE. 